JOB DESCRIPTION

B

Family

Family

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-07-23

August 8, 2025

Senior Development Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
UNHCR’s mandated responsibility for finding solutions to refugee situations has long required stronger cooperation with development partners and the inclusion of forcibly displaced and stateless persons within development planning and programming instruments, including national development programmes. Due to a variety of factors, the proportion of refugees and internally displaced persons in protracted displacement situations remains high. Moreover, the diminishing number of forcibly displaced people who have access to so-called durable solutions constitutes a worrying trend that has persisted in recent years. The increasing scale of irregular migration, large scale refugee movements, internal displacement and the costs of responding to humanitarian situations have placed forced displacement high on the global agenda. Given the complexity and protractedness of many of today¿s forced displacement situations, often occurring in fragile contexts, awareness is growing that the humanitarian model of care and maintenance is unsustainable in the longer term and that forced displacement requires a development response to complement humanitarian assistance, address poverty and other development challenges in a sustainable and inclusive manner. The SDGs provide a yardstick for inclusive development based on the principles of Leaving No One Behind and Reaching the Furthest Behind First. It is also acknowledged that extreme poverty and human suffering associated with refugees and other forcibly displaced people need to be systematically taken into account existing when addressing development challenges and development prospects of host communities, countries, and regions.
The Global Compact for Refugees frames this new approach towards a more predictable and equitable responsibility-sharing, recognizing that more sustainable approaches to refugee situations cannot be achieved without the systematic engagement of a broader set of stakeholders, including development partners.
Among the most significant humanitarian-development cooperation partnerships strengthened in recent years has been between the World Bank and UNHCR on forced displacement. In the eighteenth replenishment (2017-2020) of the World Bank¿s International Development Association (IDA), which provides financing for low-income countries, an amount of US$ 2.2 billion has been included for those states receiving large numbers of refugees (Sub-Window for Refugees and Host-Communities). The IDA 18 allocation follows the operationalization of a Global Concessional Financing Facility (GCFF) for Middle-Income Countries (MICs) affected by large numbers of refugees. In addition, UNHCR has enhanced cooperation with the private sector wing of the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and bilateral development donor.
Within the context outlined above, the role of the Senior Development Officer is to support UNHCR’s engagement and cooperation with development agencies¿ medium-term programmes assisting local communities and UNHCR’s population of concern and the ability to leverage development partnerships to influence policy dialogue to enact institutional reforms toward improved protection environments, socio-economic inclusion, and self-reliance; taking into account and reducing the vulnerabilities of forcibly displaced persons. As such, the incumbent needs to have practical experience working with and an understanding of the interplay of different aspects of economic growth, governance, fragility and conflict, the main factors that influence the environment for inclusion and resilience for UNHCR¿s population of concern. Depending on the operating environments in the area of responsibility (AoR), the incumbent might need to have specific expertise in areas such as social protection, governance in fragile contexts, local governance and community development. It is anticipated that development responses to forced displacement will grow in significance in future years due to the greater importance attached to fragility and addressing protracted displacement situations. The incumbent will assist in identifying potential opportunities and ensure complementarity between UNHCR’s protection work and the economic and social development objectives pursued by development partners and their government counterparts. It will, therefore, be important that the Assistant Development Officer supports relevant UNHCR staff within the AoR to contribute to the Operation¿s efforts to (i) align policy, operational and programme priorities between humanitarian and development agencies, (ii) establish and maintain reporting and knowledge, and information exchanges on key developments among all interested stakeholders, (iii) assist relevant UNHCR staff to engage in development planning, programming and coordination processes with Government entities and development partners; and (iv) assist relevant UNHCR staff in developing, contributing to and coordinating multi-year and multi-partner transition strategies for protracted forced displacement situations.
In Country Operations, the Senior Development Officer will normally work under the overall supervision of the UNHCR Representative or his/her Deputy. In the Regional Bureaux, the Senior Development Officer will normally work under the overall supervision of the Bureau Director, Deputy Director, Head of External Engagement Service or Chief of External Engagement.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
For positions in Country Operations only
– Advise operations on practical research and analysis to interpret long-term political, economic and social trends that will enhance opportunities for solutions, resilience and inclusion for populations of concern to UNHCR as well as more sustainable approaches to refugee protection;
– Support the operation in planning for resilience and inclusion with a clear shared vision of longer term protection and solution outcomes for people of concern that takes account of host communities and leverages the roles, resources and capacities of development partners, including International Financial Institutions, Multilateral Development Banks, and Bilateral Development donors.
– Support the development of comprehensive multi-year protection and solutions plans/strategies (incl. Multi-Year Multi-Partner Strategies) for forcibly displaced and stateless persons to UNHCR and/or facilitate the inclusion of populations of concern into national and local development planning and programming instruments.
– Support and advise the operation in identifying, strategically articulating and capitalizing development and resilience opportunities, including through Government pledges and or pledges made by bilateral or multilateral development and/or peacebuilding partners.
– Provide technical leadership and support for relationship building with development co-operation agencies and peace and state-building agendas through the different stages of policy and programme identification, preparation, implementation and review.
– Develop partnerships and networks with development cooperation actors to influence the policy dialogue with governments on institutional arrangements related to sectors, locations and programme content of consequence to UNHCR and forcibly displaced and stateless persons. This would, in particular, focus on supporting the coordination of the in-country relationship with the World Bank and other multilateral development banks, especially where there is potential for specific funding directed towards UNHCR’s forcibly displaced and stateless persons (e.g. WB IDA sub-window for refugees and host communities or the WB Global Concessional Financing Facility).
– Cooperate with development partners to assist them in incorporating the concerns of refugees, returnees and others of concern to UNHCR into the design and implementation arrangements of projects and interventions in a manner that impacts positively on protection circumstances.
– Identify, commission and/or contribute to studies and analytical activities that build the conceptual framework and evidence base for comprehensive, development-oriented responses, including preparedness work, to forced displacement.
– Ensure that development actors are provided relevant data to inform their planning, programming and advocacy around resilience for and inclusion of UNHCR forcibly displaced and stateless persons.
– Engage with governments, development partners (both multilateral and bilateral), and with the private sector and civil society (as appropriate) to identify opportunities for UNHCR to contribute to the design and implementation of monitoring systems to track progress towards agreed outcomes.
– Facilitate coordination and collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and experience sharing between UNHCR and development actors and across UNHCR operations globally by documenting and disseminating good practices and active participation in the Sustainable Responses Service, Development Partnerships Community of Practice; and,
– Support training activities aimed at the capacity building of UNHCR and partner agency staff to achieve greater coordination, effectiveness and synergies between humanitarian and development interventions.

For positions in Regional Bureaux only
– Provide support, as detailed in the above duties for a country SDO for countries without an SDO as specified in the operational context for this position.
– Support the Regional Bureau and country operations in analysing from a development perspective the potential components of longer-term situational solutions strategies, identifying the protection/resilience/solutions challenges, and the means to address these and possible regional opportunities for engagement.
– Support and advise the Regional Bureau and/or operations in identifying, articulating and capitalizing development and resilience opportunities, including through pledges made by regional partners, and regional development initiatives and programmes.
– Aggregate, analyse and package available knowledge and data from country operations to feed into regional and HQ policy, programme and advocacy efforts.
– Ensure support and coherence, where relevant, across operations in how they engage with development actors (e.g. messaging, policies, etc.).
– Interpret long-term political, economic and social trends from a situational or regional perspective that will define the opportunities for inclusion for populations of concern to UNHCR as well as more sustainable approaches to refugee protection management.
– Engage with regional bodies, such as IGAD, ECOWAS, etc. to identify and advocate for entry points for inclusion in development-related fora; and,
– Identify, commission and/or contribute to studies and analytical activities from a situational or regional perspective that build the conceptual framework and evidence base for comprehensive, development-oriented responses, including preparedness work, to forced displacement.

– Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
– Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4/NOD – 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Development Economics; Development Studies; Socio-economic Development;
International Relations; Political Science; Law
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Six (6) years of direct work experience in a large international development institution in a relevant position and of which at least two (2) years in field operations. Preferably with knowledge of, or experience in, local or area based economic development, direct engagement in a technical sector such as education, WASH, social protection, health, energy. Practical experience working with and an understanding of the different aspects of economic growth, governance, fragility and conflict. Expertise related to the governance of specific multilateral development banks or bilateral development actors most relevant to the AoR.

Desirable
Experience with forced displacement. Experience in primary data collection, quantitative research methods and results-based management.

Functional Skills
*MG-Partnership Development
*IM-Knowledge Management
CL-Strategy Development and Monitoring
*SO-Critical Thinking and problem solving
*SO-Networking
*UN-Policy Advocacy in UNHCR
PG-Results-Based Management
*CO-Strategic Communication
*CO-Drafting and Documentation
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned development professional with a deep understanding of UNHCR’s development engagement in the Southern Africa Region, including the collaboration with the SADC, COMESA, BADEA, and the AfDB. The candidate should have a proven ability to navigate political economy dynamics at the regional/SADC level, influence complex stakeholder environments, and deliver high-quality programming aligned with national systems.

Academic Qualifications
• Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Law, Economics, Business Administration, Development Studies, Political Economy, Public Policy, or related fields.

Professional Experience
• At least 10 years of progressive experience in development, including policy advisory, sustainable responses to forced displacement, and durable solutions programming.
• Previous work experience with MDBs (e.g., World Bank, AfDB), including project design, financing, and policy influence.
• Proven record of engagement with RECs (SADC, COMESA) and regional policy frameworks.
• Experience building and managing multi-stakeholder partnerships, including with RECs, MDBs, line ministries, local authorities, bilateral donors, and the private sector in the Southern Africa Region.
• Proven track record in mobilizing development funding from an MDB, preferably in Southern Africa Region.
• Political acumen and high-level representational skills.
• Strong analytical and strategic planning abilities, including political economy and fragility analysis.
• Proven track record in designing and managing development programs that promote refugee and host community inclusion.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to author policy notes, donor briefs, and proposals.
• Experience advising or managing transitions from humanitarian to development programming.
• Experience working in or with Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, or the Southern Africa region.
• Familiarity with climate financing, social protection systems, and public-private partnership models.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The Southern Africa region faces a complex blend of challenges, including protracted displacement, economic volatility, conflict, violence and fragility in DRC and Mozambique, and heightened vulnerability to climate change. The socio-economic landscape in some Southern African countries is marked by high youth unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, and climate vulnerabilities that severely impact livelihoods and service delivery, especially in displacement-affected communities already struggling with resource scarcity. The growing impact of climate change—such as recurring droughts, floods, and cyclones—worsens displacement, disrupts local economies, and strains public services. For both refugees and host communities, these crises lead to entrenched poverty and deepening socio-economic inequality, creating an urgent need for sustainable solutions to meet the unique and evolving needs of the region.

The UNHCR Regional Bureau for Southern Africa (RBSA) has been advancing the operationalization of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) through sustainable programming tailored to Southern Africa’s political, economic, and social landscape. This shift towards sustainable and government-led refugee programming seeks to progressively transition out of traditional care and maintenance models by advancing self-reliance and the inclusion of refugees into national service delivery systems. By advancing the inclusion of refugees and IDPs in existing national programs and services, sustainable programming minimizes inefficiencies, eliminates redundant systems, and allows for the recalibration of “legacy activities” that may have lost impact over time, ensuring that resources focus on promoting self-reliance, inclusion, and solutions.

The ongoing organizational realignment has necessitated a recalibration of institutional presence and engagement. Due to the closure of UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for Southern Africa (RBSA) and the downgrading of UNHCR country operations in Malawi and Zimbabwe, the Lusaka-based Multi-Country Office (MCO) is emerging as a strategic regional hub for development engagement. The MCO will play a critical role in advancing the operationalization of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) through sustainable responses by advancing whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches, by enhancing the engagement with private sector and development actors, and by embedding displacement responses within national development frameworks. The SDO position will cover Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, SADC and COMESA. The location of Zambia is deal for proximity and context in dealing with regional institutions. Reporting to the Representative in Zambia for the MCO countries and to the Regional Bureau in Nairobi for SADC and COMESA, the Senior Development Officer position in Zambia will serve as the Bureau’s advisor on issues related to operationalizing the GCR (Global Compact on Refugees) through inclusion in national systems and socio-economic development in Southern Africa.

SADC Regional Programme

A key pillar of sustainable responses in Southern Africa is the evolving strategic partnership between UNHCR, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the African Development Bank (AfDB). Building on political momentum created through two SADC Ministerial decisions in 2023 and 2024, the three institutions are developing a joint regional program focused on forced displacement, fragility, and climate risks. The partnership represents a shift toward a regional approach to government-led, development-oriented sustainable responses to displacement and aligns with the GCR and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

UNHCR has played a central role in developing and advancing the SADC Regional Programme on Forced Displacement, Fragility Mitigation, and Climate Resilience, which was formally endorsed by SADC Ministers. The Programme provides a coherent regional framework for aligning humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding responses, with a particular focus on:

• Data and information systems to guide programming;
• Resource mobilization through blended finance and climate finance;
• Integration of forcibly displaced persons into national and regional development strategies.

As the Programme enters its operationalization phase, UNHCR’s continued technical support will be critical. This includes developing a costed action plan, a resource mobilization strategy, and a monitoring and evaluation framework. The Regional SDO based in the Zambia MCO will support SADC Secretariat counterparts, engaging with member states, and coordinating with development actors such as the AfDB.

COMESA Partnership

UNHCR has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with COMESA, Africa’s largest regional economic community (REC), to pursue durable solutions through regional integration. The emerging Joint Action Plan spans six strategic pillars—from policy reform to livelihoods and post-conflict reconstruction—and offers a complementary platform to SADC’s fragility and resilience agenda. COMESA’s comparative advantage lies in regional economic integration, trade facilitation, and private sector development—providing a valuable entry point to scale the socio-economic inclusion agenda across Eastern and Southern Africa.

The Regional SDO will support UNHCR’s engagement with COMESA, ensuring that displacement is embedded in regional economic strategies and that innovative models are replicated across member states.

AfDB and MDB Engagement

The AfDB is a key partner in advancing sustainable responses in the region. Its support for the Tongogara master plan and its leadership role in the SADC Regional Programme underscores its commitment to displacement-sensitive development. The Regional SDO will coordinate UNHCR’s engagement with the AfDB, including accessing funding through the Climate Action Window, Transition Support Facility, and Regional Operations Envelope.

The SDO will also support resource mobilization efforts, co-design development projects, and ensure that UNHCR’s programming meets MDB standards for quality, accountability, and impact.

Country-Specific Contexts

Zambia
Zambia has emerged as a regional leader in inclusive refugee responses. The adoption of the 2024 National Refugee Policy, supported by a whole-of-government approach, has laid the foundation for transforming refugee settlements into economic hubs. Refugees now have access to land and public services and are increasingly integrated into national systems.

The World Bank-financed Zambia Refugee and Host Communities Project, approved in late 2024, is accelerating this transformation. It supports legal recognition through digital ID systems, infrastructure development in hosting districts, and livelihoods programming. The project also promotes private sector engagement, particularly in agribusiness and green economy sectors, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

The Regional SDO will play a critical role in supporting the implementation of this policy and the engagement with the WB on the project, ensuring alignment with national development plans and facilitating cross-sectoral partnerships that drive economic inclusion and resilience.

Malawi

Malawi is pursuing innovative, climate-smart approaches to displacement. In collaboration with the World Bank, UNHCR Malawi has introduced insect farming—specifically black soldier fly larvae—as a solution to food insecurity and income generation for both refugees and host communities. UNHCR Malawi is also collaborating with the African Risk Capacity (ARC) on an anticipatory risk financing mechanisms, including early warning systems and forecast-based financing, which are integrated into national disaster preparedness strategies.

Malawi is also exploring eligibility for the World Bank’s IDA Window for Host Communities and Refugees (WHR), which could unlock significant development financing. However, with the operation transitioning to a National Officer-led structure, there is a pressing need for senior-level development support to guide engagement with the World Bank and the Government of Malawi.

The Regional SDO will provide this critical support, ensuring that Malawi’s innovative programming is scaled and sustained through strategic partnerships and financing.

Zimbabwe
In Zimbabwe, UNHCR and the World Bank have been running a pilot insect farming programme in the Tongogara settlement in partnership with Chinhoyi University of Technology, the Ministry of Agriculture and World Vision International. UNHCR is also working with the AfDB and the Government of Zimbabwe on the transformation of the Tongogara Refugee Settlement into an integrated service centre.

The Regional SDO will provide technical oversight and strategic guidance to ensure that Zimbabwe’s development engagement is coherent, well-resourced, and aligned with national and regional priorities. This includes supporting the design and implementation of the AfDB-financed master plan and strengthening partnerships with local authorities and development actors.

Living and Working Conditions:

Lusaka is the capital of Zambia, a country heading towards middle-income country status. Zambia is an English speaking country. Shops are well stocked and all basic commodities can be found it the various supermarkets and malls around town. Imported goods tend to be available but more expensive. Health facilities, international schools, banking services are available in Lusaka. Finding accommodation meeting MORRS standard is possible, either in stand-alone house or in apartment or town house in housing complexes. Domestic flights are costly but available. The local airline, Proflight and Mahogany operates flights to larger towns in the country. Zambia is a vast country and road travel can take days, given the distances and at time the road conditions. Zambia is peaceful with minimal security threats. There have been no restrictions on travel within Zambia. There have been no curfews or restricted movements within Lusaka or elsewhere. There have been no reported cases of serious incidents involving UNHCR staff members in the past.  Like in other duty stations, staff members are advised not to be complacent and be vigilant. International staff members are expected to have security guards from a recognized/recommended security company at their residences. For more information please visit: http://www.zambiatourism.com.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CL-Strategy Development and Monitoring, CO-Drafting and Documentation, CO-Strategic Communication, IM-Knowledge Management, MG-Partnership Development, PG-Results-Based Management, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework, SO-Critical Thinking and problem solving, SO-Networking, UN-Policy Advocacy in UNHCR

Bachelor of Arts: Development Economics, Bachelor of Arts: Development Studies, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Socio-Economic Development

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Add. 2 to the Bi-Annual 2025 Compendium – Part B

Additional Information

This position requires Functional Clearance